Elsbeth "Elly" Ruth Cowan's Obituary
Elsbeth R. “Elly” Cowan (Schmiege) was taken home by her Savior, Jesus, on Sunday, June 18th, 2017. Her humble, hard-working, servant’s heart was a testament to her strong faith in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Her actions in everyday life radiated her love for Jesus through her service to others. Her faith was foremost in her life.
She was born on April 25, 1925 in Chesaning, Michigan to Edward E. and Hedwig M. Schmiege (Beyerlein). She graduated from Chesaning High School in 1943. She became a beautician, and she owned her own shop in Chesaning for several years.
After the WWII, she married Nelson L. “Brub” Cowan in 1948. They were high school sweethearts. After living in Chesaning and the Detroit area for several years the couple settled in St. Johns, MI, where the couple lived for 43 years. She worked briefly as a beautician in St. Johns before having her only child, daughter, Beth A. Cowan. Later Elly was one of the first employees when the McDonald’s opened in St. Johns. She made sure that McDonald’s was award-winning clean for over a decade.
She lived the last 16 years with her daughter Beth in Norton Shores, MI (Muskegon).
Elly was a very active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in St. Johns, MI, and was currently a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Muskegon.
She is preceeded in death by her parents, husband, and sister Arline Mose. She is survived by her daughter, sisters-in law Alice Alderson (Rochester Hills, MI) Kathleen Shooltz (Lake Suzy FL/Oxford MI), Wilma Wesley (Chesaning, MI), brother-in-law Fred Wesley, and many nieces and nephews and her best friend Shirley Terrell.
A service will be held 11AM Saturday, June 24, 2017 at St. John’s Lutheran Church (511 East Sturgis St.) in St. Johns, MI with a luncheon to follow. Visitation with the family will be from 10:30-11AM at church on Saturday. Interment will be at 3:30 PM at Wildwood Cemetery, in Chesaning, MI.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to West Shore Lutheran School 3225 Roosevelt Rd. Muskegon, MI 49441.
Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100.
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